Dear Valued Staff of the Israel Sci-Tech Schools Network,
As we launch the new school year, with excitement and apprehension for what lies ahead, I am sure that “dos” and “don’t dos” advice are coming to you from all directions. Like Hillel HaZaken (the Elder Hillel), who was asked to teach the entire Torah while standing on one foot, I wish to ask you for only one thing!
I ask that amidst the many challenges of the year ahead, you focus on and identify those who might be lonely, shy or otherwise struggling. Create in them the feeling of commitment, significance and belonging. These feelings are like oxygen to the body. When oxygen is in abundance, you do not notice its presence. However, when oxygen drops below a certain level, you immediately start to feel it.
I ask that you pay special attention to the boys and girls, to our students and notice the boy who does not fit in socially and the girl who remains on the sidelines during breaks. Don’t miss the boy who returned from a long and lonely vacation and the girl who is new to the neighborhood because her parents moved houses. Make sure you see those whose fathers or mothers are on reserve duty for an extended period and are missing them dearly, or those who are living in hotels for a long period due to their displacement from the north, or those who currently don’t even have a place they call “home”. Don’t miss the boy with special needs, or the girl with anxieties due to the alarming security situation, and those who missed out on completing their studies back during Covid and are working so hard to bridge the gap. The examples are many…
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks wrote about the difference between optimism and hope. He explained that optimism is the belief that things will work out on their own, while hope is the profound belief that we can make things better. Israel Sci-Tech Schools Network is an organization full of hope. We do not wait for things to work out on their own, but we work day-by-day to instill optimism and independence and provide ourselves and our students with the tools and confidence to act for change.
When we nurture the feeling of commitment, significance and belonging – we give our students a sense of security and purpose. We teach them that they are part of something bigger and have a meaningful role in society, and that they belong. This is a tremendous personal and human obligation, directly related to the reason we all chose to work in the field of education.
As we approach the new year, I invite all of you, teachers, staff, and administrators, to think about how we can implement these values in our schools. How can we encourage our students to see those who are struggling, to act for change, and to support each other. How can we foster an environment where every student feels committed, significant, and belongs?
I wish all of us a fruitful year of learning, full of opportunities for growth, and development – for both our students and us as teachers, principals, instructors, and administrators. I pray for peace and security, for the complete healing of the wounded soldiers, and for the speedy return of our hostages.
Shana Tova,
Raz Frohlich
CEO
Israel Sci-Tech Schools Network
